Combined skate and sandal



Junel'i, 1947. B' FERRAR 2,422,228

COMBINED SKATE AND SANDAL Filed Dec. 27, 1945 E/VAM @MAH ,f

' l rTaR/VEY atented `une v1V 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECOMBINED SKATE AND SANDAL Bernard Ferrar, Los Angeles, Calif.Application December 27, 1943, Serial No. 515,682

4 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in foot appliances and has for itsprimary object the provision of an improved foot appliance soconstructed and arranged as to provide surface-contacting means such asroller skates, ice skates or skees, and which is capable of economicalproduction and highly eiiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedappliance of the character indicated which may be readily converted intoa substitute for shoes when desired.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists of the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which- Fig. l is aside view of an appliance embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a horizontal section thereof taken substantially on line 2 2 ofFig. l;

Fig. 3, an enlarged section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 4, a side View of the construction in condition for use as asubstitute for a shoe.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises afoot rest l provided with a top pad 4Il of felt or the like, and held inplace on the foot by means of an instep band l2 adjustably connectedthereto by lacing I3, as indicated. A heel-embracing member i4 isconnected at I5 as shown, with the rear of the rest member I0, and theforward ends of the member I are formed into securing straps i6 adaptedand arrangned to adjustably engage buckles on the rear edges of theinstep band as shown. By this arrangement a secure and adjustableattachment for the foot is provided, and one which may be readilyapplied to or removed from the foot by merely loosening or securing oneof the side straps I 6, as will be readily understood.

Two spaced ilexible attaching elements are arranged to extend downwardlyfrom the heel and toe portions of the foot rest I0. Each of theseattaching elements comprises four spaced compression springs Il fittingat their ends over short posts or projections I8 on the underside of therest I0 and on top of a corresponding supporting plate I9 as indicated.A flexible tie member in the form of a chain 20 is positioned centrallyin each attaching element and serves vto hold the springs I'l undersuitable initial compression and to limit their expansion, said springsbeing placed under sufiicient initial compression substantially equaltothat of theperson intended to wear the appliance, and being held undersaid tension by action of the corresponding chain 20, as will be readilyunderstood. A suitable flexible housing 2|, preferably of leather orsimilar material, is arranged as indicated around each set of springsI'I and a rubber cushion or tread block 22 is provided with a exible lip23 at its top adjustably securing the same to the projecting edges orshoulder of each plate I9 as shown. Surface-contacting means in the formof a steel plate 24 having up-turned stiffening anges 25 at its sides isdetachably secured to each supporting plate I9 by means of upwardly andinwardly extending attaching lips 26 formed at each end thereof, andadapted and arranged to engage over the projecting edges or shoulders ofthe tread members 22-23 as indicated, and whereby the member 24 may bereadily attached to, or detached from said attaching elements. Eachmember 24 is provided, as shown, with two transverse axles 21 carryingrollers 28, thereby completing a surface-contacting means in the form ofan ordinary roller skate. By this arrangement the flexibility of theattaching elements permits of the ready attach`r ment or detachment ofthe members 24 and also provides the necessary lateral resiliency topermit of full and complete use of the attachment as an ordinary rollerskate. By this arrangement a simple and effective foot appliance adaptedto serve as a roller skate, ice skate or a skee may be readily attachedto each foot of the wearer and the same fully cushioned and flexiblymounted so as to permit of the full and complete use and enjoymentthereof.

If and when desired, the surface-contacting means may be readilydetached and the appliance then used as a shoe substitute as indicatedin Fig. 4.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying the invention into eect, this is capable 0fvariation and modication without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise detailsdisclosed, but desire to avail myself of such variations andmodification as fall within th'e scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A foot appliance comprising a foot rest; two spaced flexible elementsdepending from said rest and each comprising four spaced compressionsprings and a exible tie member positioned centrally between themlimiting the expansion of said springs.

2,422,228 u 3 4 2. The construction specified in claim 1 in p which eachflexible element is provided at its REFERENCES CITED bottom with arubber tread member. The following references are of record in the 3. Afoot appliance comprising a foot rest; file 0f this patent; two spacedflexible attaching elements depending 5 A A from said rest, eachprovided at its lower end UNITED STATES PATENTS with an attachingshoulder; and a supporting Number Name Date member consisting of a platehaving upwardly 1,261,488 Cerar et al.v Apr.4 2, 1918k andinwardly'extending lips at each end adapted 1,675,256 A Brosthwait June26, 1928 and arrangedtoengage over thev attaching shoul- 10"' 1,858,833Leach': May 17, 1932 ders on said attaching elements. 1,351,925Y RiekeSept. '7, 1920 4. A foot appliance comprising a foot rest; A 36,595Ansley Oct. '7, 1862 two spaced flexible attaching elements depending1,263,093 Miers Apr, 16, 1918 from said rest, eachprovidedatfits'lowerendv I 17,702,316 Ridgers Feb. 19, 1929 with anattaching shoulder; a supporting memr1S 1,263,092 Miers Apr. 16, 1918ber consisting of a plate having iipwaidly'and "822,448 "il Hanson June5, 1906 inwardly extending lips at each end adapted" and i 211,587,749f- -Bierly June 8, 1926 arranged to engage over the attaching .shoulderson said attaching elements; and 'surfacecontacting means on saidsupporting member con- 20 sisting of a pair' of V,axles carryingrollers.

vBERNARD FERRAR.

